--- loncom/interface/lonparmset.pm	2006/12/11 23:57:17	1.351
+++ loncom/interface/lonparmset.pm	2006/12/14 20:04:11	1.352
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # Handler to set parameters for assessments
 #
-# $Id: lonparmset.pm,v 1.351 2006/12/11 23:57:17 banghart Exp $
+# $Id: lonparmset.pm,v 1.352 2006/12/14 20:04:11 albertel Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -122,7 +122,10 @@ sub parmval_by_symb {
 # load caches
     &cacheparmhash();
 
-    my $useropt=&Apache::lonnet::get_userresdata($uname,$udom);
+    my $useropt;
+    if ($uname ne '' && $udom ne '') {
+	$useropt = &Apache::lonnet::get_userresdata($uname,$udom);
+    }
 
     my $result='';
     my @outpar=();
@@ -173,7 +176,7 @@ sub parmval_by_symb {
     }
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------ fourth, back to course
-    if (defined($csec)) {
+    if ($csec ne '') {
         if (defined($$courseopt{$seclevel})) {
 	    $outpar[9]=$$courseopt{$seclevel};
 	    $result=9;
@@ -189,7 +192,7 @@ sub parmval_by_symb {
 	}
     }
 # ------------------------------------------------------ fifth, check course group
-    if (defined($cgroup)) {
+    if ($cgroup ne '') {
         if (defined($$courseopt{$grplevel})) {
             $outpar[6]=$$courseopt{$grplevel};
             $result=6;
@@ -206,7 +209,7 @@ sub parmval_by_symb {
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------- fifth, check user
 
-    if (defined($uname)) {
+    if ($uname ne '') {
 	if (defined($$useropt{$courselevel})) {
 	    $outpar[3]=$$useropt{$courselevel};
 	    $result=3;